Weekly News Digest 13 & 20 November 2008
Benefits lifeline for rural post offices
THE Post Office has finally won its long-running battle to continue distributing pensions and social security payments. A decision allowing the Post Office to continue to operate the Post Office Card Account was confirmed on Thursday (13 November). The account is seen as vital in securing a future for 3,000 post offices, many of them in rural areas, which were threatened with closure. Read more...
Decision allays fears for post office future
RURAL communities breathed a sigh of relief after the Post Office won its long-running card account battle. Ongoing delays in announcing the future of the Post Office Card Account had caused uncertainty for local branches and residents alike. The account is particularly important for rural residents who would otherwise have to travel further afield to access pensions and benefits. Read more...
Rural development spending revealed
THE government has released details of rural development payments for projects across the English regions. More than 900 projects have been funded by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) since it was launched earlier this year. It includes 476 initiatives to improve the quality of rural life and encourage diversification of the rural economy. Read more...
** Call for best practice on rural transport **
THE Rural Services Network is looking for examples of best practice by organisations delivering rural public transport. Any network members or organisations willing to provide us with details of particularly innovative ways of delivering public transport in rural areas should email info@rsnonline.org.uk. The time schedule is rather tight - we would like to receive any examples by Tuesday 18 November.
SPECIAL BRIEFING: Participatory budgeting
A SPECIAL briefing examining the implications of participatory budgeting for England's rural communities. The technique encourages residents to become directly involved in decisions about how local budgets are allocated and invested. It may also be used for decision making on grant budgets or neighbourhood funds. Read more...
Medical school plan to boost rural GPs
EXPERTS hope a proposed new medical school will boost the recruitment and retainment of rural GPs. Plans to set up a rural campus for medical students have been explored at a seminar with stakeholders in south Shropshire.
Difficulties recruiting rural healthcare professionals has been highlighted as a big problem by the British Medical Association. Read more...
Website unravels community-led planning
A NEW website aims to help and encourage rural people develop their own solutions to rural problems. The Community Led Planning website was developed by the charity Action with Communities in Rural England.
Community-led planning is a structured process that engages local people in debate about their local area. Read more...
Pharmacy proposals threaten rural GPs
RURAL doctors' surgeries could be forced to close if the government presses ahead with plans to strip GPs of their right to dispense drugs. Campaigners have reacted angrily to a consultation on the Pharmacy White Paper which is due to close on 20 November. The paper includes proposed policy changes that would prevent many rural GP practices from dispensing drugs. Read more...
Rural patients support threatened GPs
THE government is being urged to abandon proposals that would make life more difficult for rural patients. Plans contained within government White Paper would strip many doctors of their right to dispense medicine. But most patients want to retain their choice to receive medicines from their GP, according to the Dispensing Doctors' Association. Read more...
Lib Dems warn of 'two-tier' countryside
THE recession threatens to create two-tier rural communities, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg has warned. Mr Clegg set out the Lib Dem vision to make communities accessible, vibrant and green in a speech to rural campaigners.
Local authorities should be empowered to build more social housing and help tackle the rural housing crisis, he said. Read more...
'Domesday' survey of Britain's countryside
THE government has published results from the biggest ever survey of Britain's countryside, its wildlife and landscapes. The £10m countryside survey - the fifth since 1978 - was commissioned by Defra and the Natural Environment Research Council. Results suggest that the health of the countryside is being increasingly affected by climate change, pollution and the demand for land. Read more...
Residents decide on rural spending
LOCAL residents are to decide how to spend £2m in rural economic development funding in north-east England. The investment programme has been formally approved as part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). Cash will be allocated to local rural projects by two partnerships which will then deliver rural services. Read more...
Award ignites search for 'rural sparks'
A NEW award aims to recognise unsung rural champions who have helped to transform the areas where they live. The champions - or Rural Sparks - will be found through a widespread search for excellence, run by the Carnegie UK Trust. The competition is being fronted by TV celebrity farmer and broadcaster Jimmy Doherty. Read more...
Earlier news:
Call for evidence of economic downturn
STAKEHOLDERS are being asked to tell the government how the economic downturn is affecting rural communities. Read more...
Defra launches £6m environment fund
A £6m fund is set to help charities and voluntary organisations develop environmental projects across England. Read more...
Government 'ignores' rural proofing
GOVERNMENT policies still fail to take account of rural needs, say business leaders. Read more...
New set-back for eco-town plans
MOST sites identified as potential locations for eco-towns are unsuitable, government ministers have admitted. Read more...
ANALYSIS: Getting to grips with sustainability (members only)
AS government ministers urge rural stakeholders to get to grips with the Sustainable Communities Act, we examine exactky what is involved. Read more...
BEST PRACTICE: Outreach - a savvy rural solution (members only)
LOCAL authorities will provide a better service if they leave the office and meet the public they serve, says Darren Cole. Read more...
£16m secured for rural communities
SIX partnerships are to receive a share of over £16 million to support rural economic development in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Read more...
SPECIAL BRIEFING: Participatory budgeting
A SPECIAL briefing examining the implications of participatory budgeting for England's rural communities. Read more...
Medical school plan to boost rural GPs
EXPERTS hope a proposed new medical school will boost the recruitment and retainment of rural GPs. Read more...
Website unravels community-led planning
A NEW website aims to help and encourage rural people develop their own solutions to rural problems. Read more...
Events
Plunkett Foundation
Rural Social Enterprise Conference
26-27 November, Crewe
http://tinyurl.com/5nhngf
Countryside Recreation Network
Growing Up Outdoors conference
3 December, London
http://tinyurl.com/6c7sz3
West Berkshire Council
Empowerment in Action
3 December, London
http://tinyurl.com/6e72an